Breakaway Switch Diagram for Installation on a Dump Trailer with Trailer Mounted 12 volt Battery
Question:
I have a loudo dump trailer that has a battery in it. There are 4 wheels and electric brakes. The black wire from the harness connects to electric brake on the truck goes to one wire on each of the four brakes. The red wire goes to the other wire on the electric brakes. The red wire connects to the vehicles + power. Off of this wire there is a splice that goes to a breakaway switch out of this switch goes to the + power on the onboard trailer battery. The brakes do not work. Before I do it can you tell me if im doing this correctly. Take the black wire and splice it into the breakaway switch and then to the + power on the trailer while keeping it connected to the brake lead on my truck . Take the red wire and connect it to the - on my truck. I will then take a new wire from the + on the truck and run it straight to the battery to charge it. Hope you can help me. I am not familiar with trailer electric brakes and from what I gathered from your video and diagrams there should be no reason why the trailer is wired the way it is. I want to be 100 sure so that I do not damage the magnets. Also, the + lead out of the 7 point connect has never been on a vehicle that supplied power so there is no way that the magnets got 2 different positive volts at the same time. I did verify that my 7 pin connector is working correctly.
asked by: Nicholas G
Expert Reply:
I attached a diagram showing how a breakaway switch, like part # 420000, would be wired to a trailer mounted battery like the one on your Loudo dump trailer.
With this type of setup you would not want to pull the breakaway switch with the trailer connected to the vehicle, to avoid a short circuit situation which could damage your brake controller. When testing the breakaway switch just be sure to disconnect the trailer connector from the truck, as it would be in a breakaway situation.
The wiring you mentioned sounds like the magnets on your trailer are connected to the brake controller output circuit and the 12 volt power circuit on the trailer. This situation is incorrect and if you ever attached the trailer to a vehicle with power on the 12 volt circuit at the 7-Way you would have a short circuit situation as you have noted. Each brake magnet should have one wire grounded and one wire connected to the brake controller output as seen in the diagram. Brake magnets are not polarity sensitive so it does not matter which wire you ground and which wire you connect to the brake controller output circuit.
If you follow the diagrams for a 7-Way connector on our wiring page, see link, and make sure your vehicle is wired the same way, you should be able to get things wired up. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Replacement Tekonsha Trailer Breakaway Switch
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Breakaway Kit
- Switches
- Tekonsha
more information >
Continue Researching
- Article: Breakaway Kit Installation for Single and Dual Brake Axle Trailers
- Video: DeeMaxx Trailer Brakes Manufacturer Spotlight
- Q&A: Adding DeeMaxx Hydraulic Brake To A 2024 Brinkley Z2900 5th Wheel
- Video: Ultimate Overview of the DeeMaxx Alpha G1600 Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Disc Brakes
- Shop: DeeMaxx Alpha G1600 Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Disc Brakes - 1,600 psi
- Shop: DeeMaxx Hydraulic Brake Line Kit - Tandem Axle - 20'
- Video: The Low-Down on the DeeMaxx Disc Brake Kit w/ Actuator for Tandem Axle Trailers
- Shop: DeeMaxx Disc Brake Kit w/ Actuator for Triple Axle Trailers - 9/16" Studs - 8 on 6-1/2 - 7K
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Shop: DeeMaxx Disc Brake Kit w/ Actuator for Tandem Axle Trailers - 13" Hub/Rotor - 8 on 6-1/2 - 7K
- Shop: DeeMaxx Disc Brake Kit w/ Actuator for Tandem Axle Trailers - 13" Rotor - 8 on 6-1/2 - 7K
- Q&A: Wiring Diagram For A Hydrastar Electric-Over-Hydraulic Disc Brake Actuator
- Shop: Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes - 12" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs
- Search Results: 23~180~181
- Shop: DeeMaxx Disc Brake Kit - 13" Hub/Rotor - 8 on 6-1/2 - Maxx Coating - 9/16" Bolts - 7K
- Search Results: disc brakes trailer brakes
- Search Results: dump trailer
- Search Results: battery not included trailer breakaway kit
- Search Results: sp01~060
- Search Results: 42866uc3~ez
- Search Results: trtp300200
- Q&A: U-Bolt Torque Recommendation for 1/2 inch Diameter On Trailer Suspension
- Q&A: Are The 23-180-181 Brake Compatible With The AKHD-655-6-EZ-K Hubs?
- Shop: Tonneau Cover
- Q&A: Recommended Hub/Drum Assemblies With 8 Lugs For Spindle Measurements
- Q&A: Replacement Hub and Brake Assemblies for Dexter 8-219 Wheel Hubs
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Article: Wiring Trailer Lights with a 7-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)
- Q&A: Does Truck with 6-1/2 ft bed Have to Use Slider Hitch for Turning Clearance with Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Shop: Brake Controller